Washington Nationals: Victor Robles optioned to Syracuse

Victor Robles starts his year in Syracuse and the Washington Nationals are a top-tier club in power ratings. That and snow in the Daily Washingtonian.

Good morning Washington Nationals fans!

Today is Wednesday March 21, 2018. Only eight days left until the regular season starts. You excited yet?

We are, but first there are three livetweet games left including today’s game against the Houston Astros. Both MASN and ESPN2 have the contest live at 1 Eastern. The perfect anecdote to yet another Nor’easter headed up the coast.

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Hopefully, none of you need to visit New York later as they are expecting a foot in the city and Northern New Jersey.

Enough channeling the inner Al Roker.

On the baseball front, it is not a surprise the Nats sent Victor Robles down to Syracuse to start the regular season. Although he started the Grapefruit League on fire, the kid is human after all and struggled against better pitching later in camp.

Robles needs those daily at-bats in Triple-A to prepare whenever the call comes for his return. His defense and speed are major-league ready. It is the bat needing work and sitting on the bench in Washington will not help.

On the field Tuesday, Bryce Harper smacked his second spring home run. He is ready.

We hope Los Angeles Dodger hitter, and Nats nemesis, Justin Turner heals quickly. His wrist broke on a hit by pitch late Monday night and is out until mid-May.

Now, the links:

The Washington Post on the new coaches

Chelsea Janes takes us inside the clubhouse and a closer look at Dave Martinez‘s coaching staff. She talks about their energy and how loud they are. Special attention to Chip Hale and his inner fire and Bob Henley working with his third staff.

MLB.com on Nats prospects

Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com Pipeline is touring all the camps and visits Washington. He writes about how strong their depth is without being a top-tier farm system. He points out most of the talent we have not seen is still in the lower minors.

Bleacher Report places Nats 6th in power rankings

Adam Wells gives you a glimpse of where he thinks the best teams in baseball are now. A sixth power ranking is fair. Behind the Dodgers and Cubs, Washington is the third-best National League team heading into the season. No surprise the Astros are first.

Dodgers Way on their April

Mike Margy looks at the opening month for the Dodgers including home games against the Nats. Published before the Turner injury, Margy understands the three games at Dodger Stadium are not “gimmies” for Los Angeles.

Next: Collins a BP possibility

Enjoy your Wednesday!